If the Detroit Pistons eventually have to choose between their young players, Jaden Ivey could end up being the one shipped out.
Ivey’s fit and ultimate place with the Pistons have been questioned since the Pistons won more without him last season and made the playoffs while he was on the bench. That's not particularly fair to Ivey, as it’s ridiculous to think that Detroit was better without him, but the fact remains that they made the playoffs after he was ruled out for the season.
Ivey was recently featured in a “best underrated NBA trade targets” segment of the Game Theory Podcast with Sam Vecenie, with the two hosts saying this was essentially a make-or-break first half of the season for Ivey and his future with the Pistons.
I tend to agree, as there are several factors working against Jaden Ivey.
Jaden Ivey, score-first shooting guards and the new tax reality
Ivey is eligible for an extension as we all know, but probably isn’t getting it this summer, as there is likely a huge disconnect between what his agents think he’s worth and what the Pistons are willing to give.
I’ve been saying this for two years now, but there has to be a limit on how much you pay players who are not true two-way guys. Score-first shooting guards aren’t hard to find in the NBA, and the Pistons don’t want to be stuck paying a guy upwards of $30 million a year to do something they can find cheaper.
When you look at players like Immanuel Quickley or even Tyrese Maxey, you have to wonder if their respective teams regret being saddled with those deals. Can either of those guys be the 2nd-best player on a title team? Can Ivey? It’s a question worth asking before you pay him like one.
You also have the emergence of Ron Holland II, the first draft pick made by Trajan Langdon and a guy he’ll likely prioritize over Ivey, who he did not select.
Holland is already worlds better than Ivey defensively, so if he starts knocking down shots, you could envision him playing with Ausar Thompson in the starting five, which fits the defensive identity the Pistons are trying to build. Holland is also under team control for longer, locked up through the 2027-28 season on a rookie deal, while Ivey will get a big bump starting next season.
The rest of the NBA knows this, so it’s likely Ivey will be a hot name at the trade deadline among teams looking to take a moderate risk on a high-ceiling guard.
Ivey is in a tough spot, as the team keeps talking about how important he is, but it’s a “show me” season for Ivey when it comes to getting paid, and Trajan Langdon won’t hesitate to trade him if he thinks he has better options.